The Abraxas School of Ohio, in conjunction with the Abraxas facility, had their 2nd annual Winter Fest on February 18th. The facility and school staff coordinated to create a day full of winter-themed activities for students as a way to unwind and celebrate the winter weather. 

Students spent all day with their second block teachers learning how to fold origami balls, competing in a sports-themed Jeopardy game as well as participating in a winter writing contest! Indoor activities included Minute-to-Win-It games in the gym, such as cup stacking, balloon volleyball, and an M&M sorting game. They also participated in cupcake decorating, bingo, and enjoyed a hot chocolate station. Students in Julie Pfeifer’s Life Skills class spent the entire week leading up to the Winter Fest baking cupcakes for the decorating activity and brownie bites as a special lunch treat. 

Students had a lot to say about Winter Fest. “I loved designing my own look for the cupcake and adding as many toppings as I wanted!” said one. “It was great not having to do school work and getting to participate in fun activities” replied another. “Having a special lunch made for us and getting ice cream sandwiches was my favorite part,” was another common theme heard among the students.

The day would not be complete without the hard work and dedication of Abraxas School principal Shelly Patrick, School Supervisor Matt Porter, and Community Service/Recreation Director Jordan McCune. The facility and school staff look forward to continuing the tradition next year and appreciate all of the support provided by Abraxas to make this day possible for our students.

Private Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) Programs include the Abraxas School and FIRST School, which are funded through the Ohio Department of Education Private Residential Treatment Facility Pilot Program to operate the academic program at two of the three PRTF sites: Abraxas, located east of Shelby and Foundations for Living, located west of Lucas. These programs are also supported through Title 1-D (Delinquent) funds administered by Mid-Ohio ESC. Mid-Ohio ESC partners with the residential treatment program administration and staff to deliver an educational program that meets the requirement of the Ohio Department of Education for students in correctional facilities.

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

Training and Certification

Dates: June 7 – August 6, 2021

Cost: Client - $500/Non-Client: $600

Registration: www.moesc.net/register

Click here for the flyer

Parent Meeting

Experience a "Mock IEP" Meeting

Virtual Event (Zoom)

Thursday, March 18, 2021

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Register:

email wrobleski.cindy@moesc.net, schonauer.lindsey@moesc.net, or stigallsally@gmail.com

Cost: No Fee

click here for the flyer

Twenty-six spellers were hungry for the win, but only one, Kansas Huston, an 8th grader from Plymouth, was able to spell her way to the crown with the word “sustenance.” It took 11 rounds until a champion and runner-up were finally crowned. Kansas spelled 3 championship words before she was named Champion of the bee. The runner-up was a 6th grader from Lexington, Danica S. 

The spelling bee had been postponed from February 18th due to snowy weather, but rescheduling and the virtual format did not seem to dim any of the students’ competitive spirit. Twenty-six students, the top spellers in Crawford, Richland and Morrow Counties, representing ten local school districts, competed in the virtual bee. The competition included spellers from Highland, Cardington, Lexington, Madison, Galion, Plymouth, Northmor, Ontario, Crestview, and Crestline in grades 4 through 8.

The word of the year “quarantine” was spelled correctly by a participant during the bee. Other words included latitudinarian, paramecium, and brigadier.

Kansas received a trophy and runner-up Danica was given a plaque. Every speller took home a certificate. Certificates and awards were generously provided by the Mansfield News Journal.

Leah Barger, the spelling bee coordinator for Mid-Ohio ESC said the staff gave their hearty congratulations to the champion and runner-up and all of the student spellers. “We would also like to applaud each district including spelling bee coaches and students spellers for their ability to adapt to a virtual spelling bee and make the 2021 spelling bee season a great success!”
 

Navigating Federal Programs & CCIP Training

Two Virtual Presentations

Title 1

Presenters:

Chantelle Carter, Education Program Specialist (Office of Federal Programs)

Philip Steffanni, Education Program Specialist (Office of Federal Programs)

Date: Thursday, March 11

Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm

IDEA B

Presenter: Mark Lynskey, Education Program Specialist (Office for Exceptional Children)

Date: Thursday, March 18

Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm

Cost: No Fee

Registration: www.moesc.net/register

Click here for the Title 1 flyer

Click here for the IDEA B flyer

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center will be hosting Crisis Prevention Institute, or CPI, training. The initial CPI course will be held March 3rd from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., while the refresher CPI training will be held March 1st from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A special CPI training with a focus on helping individuals with autism will be held March 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. These are in-person training sessions that will be held at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center, 890 W. 4th Street in Mansfield.

The program is a safe, non-harmful behavior management system designed to help human service professionals provide the best possible Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security of disruptive, assaultive, and out-of-control individuals even during their most violent moments.

Participants in the initial training should wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. During the physical interactions, participants will wash hands, wear nitrile gloves, and remain with the same partner(s) through the duration of the training. You must adhere to COVID-19 guidelines attesting to your wellness, having your temperature checked and wearing a mask. Personal Protective Equipment will be available. In addition to successfully demonstrating the application of physical intervention skills, individuals will be required to pass a post-test prior to being certified. 

For the initial training, registration is limited to 10 participants for safety. 

Physical holds are not practiced by participants in the refresher course but rather reviewed visually through demonstrations by the instructor. Registration for the refresher course is limited to 40 participants, and everyone must follow the same COVID-19 guidelines attesting to your wellness, having your temperature checked and wearing a mask.

The CPI Autism training includes 8 additional strategies to consider when working with children on the autism spectrum. These strategies embed a spirit of empathy, dignity, and respect.

CPI techniques can be used safely with a wide variety of people, including those on the autism spectrum. Given the complex nature of ASD, there is no magic formula or simple solution that will work to assist all students with autism spectrum disorders. Every plan must be personalized and based on an assessment of a student’s needs.

Participants in the autism training should wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. During the physical interactions, participants will wash hands, wear nitrile gloves, and remain with the same partner(s) through the duration of the training. You must adhere to COVID-19 guidelines attesting to your wellness, having your temperature checked and wearing a mask. Personal Protective Equipment will be available. Registration is open, but this course is limited to 10 participants. 

Interested participants may sign up at MOESC website, www.moesc.net/register. Client/Member cost for any of the courses is $60.00, while non-client cost is $75.00. Anyone with questions about the training may contact Wendy Harvey at events@moesc.net.

The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors held their monthly meeting on February 17th. In the meeting, the board approved a contract to hire Dr. Mark Burke as the new Executive Director of Achievement & Leadership that will commence August 1, 2021 and go through July 31, 2024. Burke’s position provides leadership for Mid-Ohio ESC’s full range of administrative staff development and improvement services in support of its partner school districts.

Dr. Burke comes from Mohawk Local Schools, where he served as the superintendent.  Previously, he served in several positions at Bucyrus City Schools, including high school principal and Director of Student Services. He has also been an adjunct professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy at Bowling Green State University. He received his Masters in Educational Administration at Ashland University. He obtained his Doctorate of Leadership Studies from Bowling Green State University in 2013. 

Dr. Burke was selected from a field of 33 applicants for the position and throughout the selection process, it became clear to the interview team that he was the right fit to join the Mid-Ohio ESC team. He will be leading professional development, trainings, leadership opportunities and support of our member district administrators.
 
Kevin D. Kimmel, Mid-Ohio Superintendent said, “I am very excited to have Dr. Burke join our administrative team at Mid-Ohio ESC. It had become evident that this position was needed to expand our services and support to our member districts. I want to commend the Mid-Ohio ESC Board of Governors for supporting this new position as we continue to explore ways to restructure our organization to develop relationships, build trust, and add value for member districts. I look forward to working with Dr. Burke and our administrative team to strengthen our organization.

“I am very excited for this new opportunity,” said Burke. “Building relationships will be my highest priority. I will be able to serve our districts once I can learn more about their communities, culture, goals, expectations, and areas of district focus. It is my sincerest hope to be out of the office visiting our partners and developing a plan on how I can be of service.”

In other business, all organizational and personnel items were approved. The 2021-2022 calendars for Abraxas and F.I.R.S.T. Schools were also discussed.   

The Ohio Department of Education is pleased to announce funding for educational service centers (ESC) to staff Family and Community Partnership Liaisons for the 2020-2021 school year. Three million dollars of federal CARES Act funding has been made available to fund Family and Community Partnership Liaisons in each of the 51 ESCs. Mid-Ohio ESC has contracted with Goal Digital Academy to hire Jessica Caughlan for the liaison position in response to the increased needs of school districts and families due to COVID-19. The grant and the position runs from December 2020 to November 2021.

Caughlan, who is the Director of Partnerships and Family Engagement for Goal Digital Academy, said there are seven vulnerable population groups that the grant specifically wants the liaison to focus on: students with disabilities, English learners, migrant families, justice involved students, military families, students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care. “I will send out surveys to staff in each school district to decide which of the population groups is the greatest need. Once the greatest need is determined then the focus will start shifting to that vulnerable group.”

Families needing help can be referred by school staff, community partners or by a self-referral. However, she notes her position is to help the school district's staff to have better engagement with their families, not to work with families themselves. Her work is to help facilitate resource and information sharing between local school district personnel and local community partners to build their capacity to provide services for vulnerable youth. "When families are supported by a well-structured family engagement program,” said Caughlan, “the partnership between home, school and their communities has the potential to help every student succeed!"

It’s time to register for Artapolooza 2021

Make sure that your school is part of one of the largest student art displays in the area!

Set-up: Friday, March 19- noon to 7:00 p.m.

View  “Helpful Hints” 

Gallery Hours

Saturday, March 20- 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 21- 12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Monday, March 22- 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 23- 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 24- 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Tear-down: Thursday, March 25- 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Click here to register!

Award presentations will be virtual this year!

and will include a slideshow that will be posted on MOESC’s website.

We accept student portfolios for gifted identification. Please see the attached form or click here for details.

For more information on Artapolooza, contact Jenny Pennell,

email pennell.jennifer@moesc.net,

or call 419-774-5520, ext. 2606

The State of Ohio has designated Ohio’s 52 educational service centers (ESCs) as the primary working partners to assist in the coordination of the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine for districts and schools. Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center is hosting an event for 24 partner districts and schools from Richland County that identified Discount Drug Mart as their community partner. This event will be held at Mid-Ohio ESC on February 19th from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Depending on which vaccine is received, the second administration will be either 21 or 28 days after the first vaccination shot.

Mid-Ohio ESC has been working with over 40 districts/schools and 8 community partners to coordinate the vaccine rollout throughout Richland, Crawford and Morrow Counties. The vaccination rollout is a four week process throughout the month of February with Morrow County educators receiving vaccinations in week 2, Richland County in week 3, and Crawford County in week 4. To ensure proper plans and communication with their 40 partner districts and schools across the three county area, Mid-Ohio ESC has been working on the following:

• Contacting the schools to communicate what public and retail partners are available in each school or district’s respective areas.
• Collecting and communicating providers/plans to the state.
• Notating if a district or school plans to utilize a partner other than the list of partners provided to the ESC.  Include that provider and provider’s information in the data collection process. Districts will want to ensure the provider is or can be approved by the state and have confidence in their ability to deliver the vaccine.
• Collecting and entering data for each school or district (ESCs must fill out a separate form for each individual school district). 
• Submitting all pertinent data and information to the state for collection and aggregation. 

At this time, over 2000 educators across Richland, Crawford and Morrow Counties are scheduled to receive the vaccine. Kevin D. Kimmel, Superintendent of Mid-Ohio ESC, said this is a welcome step forward. “Educators all around our area and frankly, across the country, have had to adapt to a new way of teaching because of COVID. We know the best teaching is done in person, and getting the vaccine to school staff is a huge leap forward to bringing that back full-time, without restrictions. I applaud the tireless efforts of the Mid-Ohio staff as well as Richland County Public Health, Shelby City Health Department, Crawford County Health Department, Galion City Health Department, and Morrow County Health District in coordinating this effort.”

Educators who want vaccinated need to contact their school or district to sign up.